Duane l



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DUANE L. RICE, OE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE \V. IV. KIHBALLCOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

MUSIC-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 427,614, dated May 13,1890.

Application filed January 14, 1889. Serial No. 296,225. (No model.)

T0 all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, DUANE L. RICE, a citizen of the United States,residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Music-Racks, of which thefollowing` is a specification.

This invention is designed to supply to the movable music-racks ofpianos and other instruments a means for sustaining the lower edge ofsaid racks when swung outwardly upon the hinges at their tops. It hasbeen customary heretofore to devolve this function upon a deviceoperating much like an ordinary knife-blade-that is to say, a pivotedarm and a spring acting thereon. I purpose so changing the constructionas to dispense entirely with springs and to render the device at thesame time easily operable and simple in construction.

The invention consists in the combination, with a stationary hinged rackand the pianolining imn'iediately behind said rack, of the deviceshereinafter described for supporting the bottom of the rack when swungoutward.

The drawings show at Figures 1 and 2 vertical transverse sections of apiano-rack and the adjacent part ot' the instrument., Eig. 1 showing therack closed, and Fig. 2 showing it moved out or opened. Fig. 3 is a rearelevation of that portion of the rack carrying thc supporting device.Fig. 4 is an edge view of the part shown at Fig. f

In said drawings, A represents the rack, and a the music-supportingledge at the bottom thereof.

B represents the lining or frame-work immediately behind the rack. Therack is hinged at its upper corners in the usual manner, which is notillustrated, but is familiar to all pianomakers.' Secured to the back ofthe rack near its lower edge is one or more blocks C. These blocks formpivotal bearings for the gravity-arms l), and they are also providedwith ledges c, which serve to limit the downward swing of said arms. Thearms D are formed of wire, and where more than one is employed areconnected together, preferably by extending their pivotal portions fromone to the other or making them of one piece of wire, as plainlyindicated at Fig. 3. This connecting portion may be provided withretaining-staples on at intervals between the blocks. The arms D shouldalso have lateral bends d at theirfrce ends,whieh may be armed withrubber bufting, as shown at n. It is also desirable to surround thepivotal parts of the arms within the blocks C with felt 0 or otherequivalent material to prevent rattling. Then closed, the outer bends ofthe arms may rest in recesses l) in the lining I3, and it is desirablethat the arms should be free from friction in their bearings, so thattheir swing may not be interfered with.

IV ith this construction the operation is simple and easily understood,the arms auton matieally swinging away from the rack and into engagementwith the lining, as indicated at Fig. 2, as the rack is pulled out andassumes au inclined position. The inclining of `the rack assists in themovements of the arms, as it also inclines the arms and gives themgreater freedom to swing on their axis.

'\Vhen in the position of Fig. 2, the arms eifectually hold the rackopen, and to close it is only the work of an instant, it being simplyneeessary to extend a finger behind the rack and lift one of the arms tothe vertical position and then push the rack back. This operation willlitt all the arms simultaneously, it' they are united, as suggested.

Of course the gravity-arms may be separate from each other, or a singleone may be employed; but I prefer the construction shown as being thebest form, answering all requirements.

The combination, with a `piano-rack fixedl y hinged at the top and thepiano-lining, ot a block or blocks secured to the back of the rack nearits lower edge and one or more gravity-operated arms freely pivoted insaid block or blocks, so as to swing outwardly when the rack is movedoutward, said blocks being also provided with stops to limit themovement of the arms, substantially as set forth.

. DUANE L. RICE.

Witnesses:

EDw. S. EvARTs, H. M. MUNDAY.

